Pop Sonnets: Shakespearean Spins on Your Favourite Songs

should in thy soul be similarly sown;

and now they all are earnestly express’d

so that my vows are understood and known:

O never shall I vacate from thy side,

nor ever shall I disappoint thee hence,

nor will the day approach that wounded pride

shall rise from some unfaithful dalliance.

My actions leave thy face unstained by tears

and ledgers of my lies shall remain clear.

Rick Astley, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ (#ue1e987bb-a720-5b5e-ab33-da07e105e521)

Into the well, I cast a humble pray’r

and though I’ll not reveal the wish I made,

our eyes, they met and we a moment shar’d,

wherein my silent want was well convey’d.

Before we met, I had no yearnings borne

for fairytale romance or courtship’s glee,

but O! the summer breeze! thy breeches torn!

I have no doubt thou art my destiny!

Though we’ve each other only moments known,

my heart doth fling fair Logic now away!

I beg thee, take my favour for thine own –

perchance to call upon me soon, I pray!

For long before we had a chance to start,

thy absence left an aching in my heart.

Carly Rae Jepsen, ‘Call Me Maybe’ (#ulink_42d93cf2-fb74-5c8c-b6f6-8f23288eab73)

Thou art a flame that burns within my breast,

the singular desire within my heart.

Believe my wish, most solemnly profess’d,

that we should ne’er again be made apart.

Yet we are twain; it seems thou’rt worlds away –

I cannot reach thee with my outstretch’d hand

to soothe thy aching soul if thou shouldst say

thy heart had other circumstances plann’d.

Pray speak of why our love such torment holds,

and prithee say why this must folly be!

No, tell me not; I fear what might unfold

if our two fondest hopes should not agree.

I cannot hold my passion long at bay

for I do want love fashion’d strong that way.

Backstreet Boys, ‘I Want It That Way’ (#ulink_2f8123dc-2ea2-5dd6-8f7b-cfffef9f6c73)

Thy confidence in Nature’s gifts is strain’d;

I know not why, for thine’s a pleasing face.

Pray witness all the staring unconstrain’d

by those who mark thine entrance to a place.

Thy naked face is beauty unsurpass’d;

thy countenance is not by rouge improv’d.

Like Helen’s, it could launch a navy vast,

yet thy reflection leaves thee still unmov’d.

My life, once dark, is bathed in brilliant light

for thou hast graced it with thy presence sweet;